Meet Julien Fayard, Winemaker at Azur Wines

His Uncle grew grapes and his family has been involved in the wine business since the 70’s.

First Harvest: Age 16

And he hasn’t missed one since.

University Major: Agribusiness and Winemaking + MBA

Julien then honed his craft in Provence and Bordeaux, working at famed wineries like Château Lafite-Rothschild and Smith Haut Lafitte.

Why Move To The United States? Love!

Julian met his wife Elan in the Loire Valley where she was studying wine and French language. Elan grew up in Oregon, so a move to Napa Valley in 2006 was their way to “meet halfway” (and we are all glad that they did).

First Job In Napa: Quintessa

He then joined Atelier Melka, where he spent seven years as the Director of Winemaking working with clients like Lail Vineyards, Gemstone, and Dalla Valle. During this time, Julien gained an intimate understanding of Napa Valley’s many micro-climates and vineyards.

His philosophy is to produce wines that express pure, terroir-driven specificities and characteristics. Wine style is a combined expression of the fruit, soil, vines and climate.

“As a winemaker, my job is to bring out the best qualities that the vines have provided. I don’t seek to make a style of wine but more so to make wine that sings of it’s place, it’s history and it’s uniqueness. That’s my goal as a winemaker, to make wines that are pure expressions of their environment and not mask it. Wines with an identity.”
— Julien Fayard

Favorite Wine Region Outside Napa: Pauillac and Ribeira del Duero

“I don’t know if we can find more complex wines in the world. Napa is a close second. Time will tell the difference.”